The 2017 Rolex Central Park Horse Show will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 20, and conclude Sunday, Sept. 24, featuring five days of world-class equestrian competition, showcasing numerous disciplines on both international and national stages. Kent Farrington and McLain Ward, currently the #1 and #2 ranked show jumpers in the world, will highlight the CSI*** competition, while Isabell Werth (Germany), Laura Graves and Carl Hester (Great Britain), internationally ranked at #1, #2 and #3 respectively for the discipline of dressage, will contest CDI competition during the event.

The immensely popular Family Day, open to the general public, will take place on Sunday, Sept. 24, and it will feature hands-on interactions and learning experiences with horses, alongside an array of family-friendly activities. For more information on the 2017 Rolex Central Park Horse Show and ticket sales for the event, please visit centralparkhorseshow.com.

The Rolex Central Park Horse Show will return to New York City Sept. 20-24, and tickets are available now. Photo by Ashley Neuhof.

In its fourth year, the Rolex Central Park Horse Show will once again highlight the versatility, athleticism and majesty of the horse, as participating horse and rider combinations from a broad array of disciplines will take to Wollman Rink with the remarkable New York City skyline setting the atmosphere for this iconic competition. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the $216,000 Grand Prix CSI*** presented by Rolex on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“Our goal in producing the Rolex Central Park Horse Show is to deliver world-class competition, while simultaneously providing an unforgettable experience for spectators and enthusiasts of horse sport,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of International Equestrian Group. “The exposure this event brings for the collection of disciplines hosted only benefits and generates more global interest in equestrianism in one of the most prominent and celebrated cities in the world. We’re expecting a fantastic turnout of both athletes and spectators and are eager to welcome many of the world’s top athletes to New York City.”

Wednesday, Sept. 20

The first day of competition will make way for the U.S. Open Arabian Horse Show presented by Aljassimya Farm, displaying the beauty and elegance of one of the world’s oldest breeds. The evening will feature a mixture of classes, both In-Hand/Halter and Performance, while the beautiful Native Costume Class remains a favorite for spectators and attendees alike.

Widely considered to be a uniquely diverse and multi-talented breed, Performance classes will demonstrate their versatility during the evening, featuring several disciplines and specific classes including Western Pleasure, Country English Pleasure and Hunter Pleasure. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and competition will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Arabians will again take center stage at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show on Sept. 20. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Thursday, Sept. 21

Following the first day of the 2017 Rolex Central Park Horse Show, the discipline of show jumping will descend upon Wollman Rink, hosting both amateur and professional classes, highlighted by the first international class of competition in the U.S. Open $40,000 Speed Class CSI***, where the best riders in the world will contest their first major class of the week.

Farrington, who currently sits at an impressive #1 on the world ranking list, will compete against a collection of the world’s top international athletes including his Rio Olympic teammate Ward (World #2), as well as hometown hero Georgina Bloomberg.

The Junior/Amateur 1.20-meter Jumper Speed Class will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by the $40,000 Speed Class CSI*** at 8:00 p.m. The second annual showcase of the $50,000 Puissance (High Jump Exhibition) will follow at 9:00 p.m. Tickets for Thursday’s competition include admission to all three events. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and competition is set to start at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 22

Widely regarded as the most action-packed day of the week-long competition, the third day of the 2017 Rolex Central Park Horse Show will usher in dressage competitors to Central Park, beginning with the U.S. Open $10,000 CDI Grand Prix mid-afternoon before show jumping competition returns in the evening.

This year’s event will welcome three of the highest ranked competitors in the world as Werth (world #1), Graves (world #2) and Hester (world #3) will make the 2017 edition of dressage competition unlike any other offered in North America. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. with competition beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Competition will continue under the lights in New York City, as the U.S. Open $25,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under-25 Grand Prix is set to open competition on Friday evening, featuring talented competitors from around the world under the age of 25. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and competition is set to start at 6:30 p.m.

The culmination of show jumping competition will conclude on Friday night as the $216,000 Grand Prix CSI*** presented by Rolex will draw eyes from around the globe as the world’s best go head-to-head in attempt to take home the week’s most coveted prize. In 2016, American legend Jimmy Torano finished atop the class aboard his mount Day Dream, securing the win with an impressive jump-off round in front of a sold-out crowd.

Competition is set to begin at 8:00 p.m. Following the 2017 Rolex Central Park Horse Show, NBC Sports Network will broadcast the $216,000 Grand Prix CSI*** presented by Rolex on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Native New Yorker Georgina Bloomberg will return to contest the Rolex Central Park Horse Show CSI***. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Saturday, Sept. 23

The classic and timeless English discipline derived from the origins of fox hunting will bring elegance and precision to the 2017 Rolex Central Park Horse Show on Saturday, as a day of assorted hunter classes presented by The Gochman Family and Dr. Betsee Parker will entertain throughout the afternoon.

The day will begin with the $1,000 Pony Hunter Classic, ahead of the $2,500 Junior/Amateur and Professional Hunters classes, which will precede the highlight U.S. Open $50,000 Duchossois Cup. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. and competition will start at 1:30 p.m.

The final evening of competition will set the stage for remarkable dressage competition as the U.S. Open $50,000 CDI Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Axel Johnson Group is set to grasp attention of spectators and attendees throughout the night.

A musical collaboration featuring the powerful, yet silent connection between horse and rider presents the makings for an enchanting evening, which will feature the world’s top three combinations and conclude international competition for the 2017 event. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and competition will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Wollman Rink will again host top riders for a CDI at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Family Day has quickly become one of the major attractions of the week for families and children as the venue offers free general admission to the horse show while providing educational and entertaining equestrian demonstrations and performances throughout the day.

The first-ever dog agility demonstration, performed by the Dog Agility Club of Long Island, will take place in Wollman Rink, while this year’s event will focus heavily on the importance of human and child interaction with animals and their overarching care. A popular pet social media influencer will be on-site for photo opportunities and a meet and greet session. Pony rides, a miniature car course, and learning stations will also be offered to guests at different points in the afternoon. Gates will open at 12:00 p.m. and continue through 3:00 p.m.

For more information on the 2017 Rolex Central Park Horse Show and to purchase tickets, please visit centralparkhorseshow.com.

Special room rates are available at the Marriott Essex House during the 2017 Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Click here to book today!

About Rolex Central Park Horse Show

Originally launched in September 2014, Rolex Central Park Horse Show is the first-ever outdoor, multi-day equestrian sporting event in New York City, showcasing some of the best show jumpers and dressage riders in the world as they vie for top prizes against a backdrop of skyscrapers in one of the world’s most iconic venues. As the event founder, Mark Bellissimo is the CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions and International Equestrian Group LLC; Managing Partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, Tryon Equestrian Partners and Colorado Equestrian Partners; and Publisher of The Chronicle of The Horse magazine. The Rolex Central Park Horse Show will feature five days of multi-discipline equestrian sport and performances, ranging from Arabians and Dressage to Hunters and Show Jumping. For more information, visit www.centralparkhorseshow.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/CPhorseshow and follow @cphorseshow on Twitter and Instagram.

About ROLEX

Rolex, the Swiss watch brand headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, the brand pioneered the development of the wristwatch and is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism invented in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities, as well as philanthropic programs.